Doug assists high net wealth individuals in evaluating and implementing personal planning strategies, and advises individuals and professional fiduciaries on estate and trust administration matters. Doug also acts as a mediator and arbitrator in trust and estate disputes.
CONTACT INFO
206-892-2151
doug.lawrence@stokeslaw.com
PRACTICE AREAS
Estate Planning
Gift and Estate Taxation
Probate and Trust Administration
EDUCATION
Seattle University School of Law (formerly the University of Puget Sound School of Law), J.D., summa cum laude (1979)
Michigan State University, B.A. in Classical Studies, high honors, Phi Beta Kappa (1976)
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
Washington (1979)
Alaska (2008)
ASSISTANT
REPRESENTATIVE WORK
Common representations involve:
The preparation of wills, trusts and other documents to implement planning strategies
The use of limited liability companies and family partnerships
Developing charitable planning options to meet charitable and family goals
Assisting with business transitions
Helping to resolve disputes involving interests in trusts and estates
PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Actively involved in the drafting and passage of trust and estate legislation, including the Trust Act of 1984 and the 1999 Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act
Governor (8th Congressional District) and Treasurer, Washington State Bar Association Board (2005–2008)
MS Society—Greater Washington Chapter Board (2003–2005)
Fred Hutchinson Planned Giving Advisory Board (1999–2003)
Board Member, Community Enterprises of Issaquah/AtWork! (1987–2002)
Hope Heart Institute Planned Giving Advisory Board (1998–2000)
Chair of Executive Committee, Real Property, Probate & Trust Section of the Washington State Bar Association (1997–1998)
Lecturer and Instructor, University of Washington School of Law JD and LLM programs (1995–1996)
Executive Committee member, Estate Planning Council of Seattle (1994–1996)
Chair, King County Bar Association's Real Property, Probate & Trust Section (1988)
University of Washington Planned Giving Board (1985–1987)
Adjunct professor of law, Seattle University School of Law (1985–1986)
RECENT PUBLICATIONS & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
"Outsourcing the Profession and Internet Legal Service Competition," The Law of Lawyering, Washington State Bar Association (December 2008)
"Ethics Update—A Review of Final Changes in the WRPC," panelist, 51st Annual Estate Planning Seminar, Seattle (WSBA, November 2006)
Editor, Reutlinger's Washington Law of Wills and Intestate Succession (2d. ed. 2005)
"Ethics Update—A Review of Proposed Changes in the WRPC," panelist, 50th Annual Estate Planning Seminar, Seattle (WSBA, November 2005)
"Advanced Probate," program chair (WSBA, July 2005)
"The Essentials of Community Property: Introducing the New Washington Community Property Deskbook—Prenuptial Agreements and Community Property Agreements," (WSBA, November 2003)
"Mediation: An Answer for your Practice and your Clients," panelist, St. Paul Minnesota (American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, June 2003)
RECOGNITION
Best Lawyers in America in Trusts and Estates (1993-2010)
Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
AV® rated by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review
Washington State Bar Association Award of Merit (1999)
